Tag Archives: blue angels

The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is looking to contract Boeing to modify a number of F-18 Super Hornets for use with the Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron (NFDS) Blue Angels, as announced on Monday 25 July. The Blue Angels have been flying the F-18 Hornet for decades, but these ‘legacy’ Hornets are getting harder to come by for the team.

Modificitations to the Super Hornet should include the installation of a smoke system that releases oil into the jet’s engine exhaust. The ensuing smoke gives more depth to the team’s performance in the air. According to NAVAIR, Boeing and is ‘the only source with the knowledge, expertise and on-site personnel necessary’ to accomplish the needed modifications.

The Blue Angels started using F/A-18A and B jets in 1986, replacing those with C and D models in 2010. However, F/A-18E and F Super Hornets are now the dominant models in the US inventory.

In a weird coincidence, a US Air Force F-16 flying with the Thunderbirds and a US Navy F-18 flying with the Blue Angels, crashed on the same day on Thursday 2 June. The Thunderbird came down after a fly over for president Obama in Colorado Springs, Idaho. The pilot escaped by ejecting.

The Blue Angels F-18 Hornet came down near the town of Smyrna in Tennesse. Smoke was seen rising from the ground near the airport were the Blue Angels were practicing their show routine prior to an airshow. The pilot did not survive the crash.

Pics of the downed Thunderbird show the aircraft relatively intact on the ground. The pilot apparently attempted to land at nearby Petersen Air Force Base.